Why am I passionate about this?
As a child, one of my favorite places was in the top branches of a tree. From up there I could watch the world pass by, remaining invisible. I could make up stories about the world below and no one would challenge me. The second best place for me was inside the story of a book, the kind that took you to magical places where children always found a way to win the day. I knew when I “grew up” I would write one of those empowering books. I became a middle school teacher and have since read many wonderful books for this age. Enjoy my list of favorites.
Carla's book list on where kids who believe in nature make a difference
Why did Carla love this book?
Zoey doesn’t have the time or the status to be a normal kid.
She wishes she could be an octopus as she needs the arms, eyes, camouflage skills, and protective defenses of such a creature just to survive the responsibilities of her family world. She doesn’t realize how valuable it is to have a teacher who believes in her, pressuring her to join the debate club in spite of the fact she does not feel like she belongs, until she finds her voice.
How many of us have had that one event or person push us to find our true potential. In spite of all the family responsibilities that tie her down, Zoey learns she can make a difference in the wider world around her.
Zoey, you inspire me!
1 author picked The Benefits of Being an Octopus as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.
One of Edutopia's "25 Essential Middle School Reads from the Last Decade," NPR Best Book of 2018, Bank Street List for Best Children's Books of 2019, Named to the Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher List, Maine's Student Book Award List, Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Award List, Rhode Island Middle School Book Award 2020 List, 2020 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award Nominee, 2021 South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee, 2020-2021 Truman Award (Missouri) Nominee, Middle School Virginia Readers' Choice Titles for 2020-2021 , Charlie May Simon Award 2020-2021 List, 2021-2022 Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, and 2023 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award…
- Coming soon!